Maltipoo

Table of Contents

maltipoo

Maltipoos – Adorable designer pups

Maltipoos are dogs that result from crossing a Miniature or Toy Poodle with a Maltese. The Maltipoo has yet to be recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club and other organizations across the world. 

The reason these dogs have become popular over the past several years is that they’re intelligent, affectionate, as well as playful, so they bring joy to anyone looking for a loving canine companion.

white poodle mix

Appearance

The appearance of a Maltipoo puppy can’t be predicted as it largely depends on the physical features of the parents. For example, a Maltipoo’s coat can be curly, but it can also be scruffy — and it varies from one dog to the other. 

The color of a Maltipoo’s coat is also difficult to predict as some can be grey, others can be white, but the color cream is not uncommon either. 

Most dogs have a fluffy and wool-like coat, though, which is one of the features they are most appreciated for.

How big does a Maltipoo get?

This is a relatively small breed. Adults get to a height that ranges from 10 to 12 inches, depending on their gender and genetic inheritance. 

Most have a weight between 10 and 20 pounds, also depending on their gender, whether they were spayed or neutered, and if their parents were smaller or larger.

If you are looking for an especially small Maltipoo, you should pick a female and also ask your breeder for a cross of two smaller parents. If you are looking for a larger dog however, make sure to pick a male puppies from parents that are on the larger side. Genetics are strong when it comes to size!

Temperament

The best thing about a Maltipoo is that it usually inherits the personality of its parents. Since both the Maltese and the Poodle are friendly breeds, it’s not far-fetched to assume that a Maltipoo puppy will be the same. 

However, like any other breed, whether mixed or not, this one needs to be socialized as early as possible. Since Maltipoos are highly intelligent, you aren’t going to have a hard time training your puppy. 

Another Maltipoo personality trait that dog owners love is that they can be quite affectionate. They do tend to suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for many hours during the day, so if you tend to be away from home for more than 10 hours on a daily basis, this might not be the right dog for you.

maltipoo puppy

Are Maltipoos easy to potty train?

Most Maltipoos are very easy to train, especially if some of the training was done by the breeder. Potty training can take some time and effort, but since these dogs are clever, they’ll pick it up in no time. 

Praise and repetitive routines offer the best results when it comes to potty training a Maltipoo. You can use your dog’s own scent to make them ‘tend to their business’ in a particular place. 

For example, if you use pee pads, you can slightly rub a new one onto an old one to make your dog think that they’ve marked their territory there. For more information on house training your Maltipoo, talk to an experienced trainer. 

 

Is a Maltipoo a good dog?

Most dog parents seem to agree that Maltipoos make not good, but great dogs. They adapt well to new living environments, they learn to trust their pet parents, and more importantly, when they’re trained properly, they don’t try to dominate their owners. 

Since they’re smaller, they’re also easier to care for, and they also don’t cost as much as large and giant breeds (at least in terms of food). 

On top of everything, a Maltipoo maintains their puppy temperament even in their senior years, which can be very refreshing.

Are Maltipoos barkers?

Some Maltipoos can cause problems if they are adopted from inexperienced or irresponsible breeders. All puppies have to be trained to some extent in order to maintain good behavior, especially in relation to other animals and people. 

Maltipoos can also be hard to train, and they can be noisy, especially if you don’t offer them enough care and attention. As we previously mentioned, they do not do well when they spend a lot of time alone. 

If you live in an apartment building and you’re gone for several hours every day, your Maltipoo might bark or even howl if he or she is feeling lonely. 

Unfortunately, that can be a problem for most pet owners unless they live in a house and have a yard where the dog can have some fun while they are away. 

 

Coat care & shedding

Shedding depends on every dog since they can inherit different features from their parents. Nevertheless, Maltipoos don’t tend to shed a lot, especially compared to other breeds. 

On the other hand, they cannot be considered a hypoallergenic dog breed. They do shed several times a year, and their coat should be groomed every 1-2 months depending on whether it is curly or not.

How to groom a Maltipoo

First of all, if you’ve never groomed a dog before, try to get as informed as possible before making the first attempt. Do not use sharp trimming objects, especially around your dog’s eyes. 

Some Maltipoos have fluffy or curly hair around their eyes, so the latter can sometimes get irritated. Use a wet cotton ball to wipe under your puppy’s eyes and cheeks to get rid of any debris or dust that might have collected on the fur. 

If you ever try to cut some of the fur around the eyes, make sure to cover them with your hand first. There are special scissors for this task available online and in pet shops, and they come with a curved blade so that the tip doesn’t accidentally get into the dog’s eyes. 

As for haircuts, some pet owners prefer to have their Maltipoo’s fur clipped close to the body as this minimizes shedding (at least to some extent). Others prefer a lamb cut or a fancier style such as the Miami cut. 

If you don’t want to worry about putting your dog’s health in danger due to bathing or grooming techniques, you can always take your canine friend to a groomer. 

Do Maltipoos have health problems?

Unfortunately, the answer to this question is yes. Naturally, not all Maltipoos can get genetically transmitted diseases, but it’s generally acknowledged that this breed is predisposed to some of the following health conditions:

  • Patellar luxation
  • Progressive retinal atrophy
  • Epilepsy
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
  • Portosystemic shunt

Getting your puppy from a responsible breeder can at least ensure that they don’t suffer from most of these diseases. You can even ask your breeder to show you a health certificate belonging to the puppy’s parents and created by a registered veterinarian. 

Another health problem that can affect most dogs, especially as they grow older, is obesity. Keeping your Maltipoo’s weight in check is a good way of making sure that your canine buddy gets to live a happy, healthy, and long life.

How much does a Maltipoo cost?

How much are Maltipoo puppies? It can be difficult to give a clear answer to this question, especially since Maltipoos aren’t considered a part of a specific breed. This is the reason so many people get their puppies from backyard breeders, which might not be the best option. 

The average cost of a Maltipoo dog can be anything from $500 to $4,000 and more, depending on whether you get your pet from — an excellent breeder or a shelter. (The cost of Maltese varies in similar ways.)

You can expect to spend about $1,000 a year on general care and food. Veterinary visits (such as an annual check-up and yearly vaccinations) can cost approximately $250 per year. 

Flea and deworming medication can cost about $30 every two to three months. While the cost of having a Maltipoo is low, especially when compared to other breeds, you do have to be prepared for these expenses. 

Also keep in mind that a Maltipoo’s average lifespan is 14 to 15 years, so you’re making a long-term commitment when buying or adopting a puppy.

Where to buy Maltipoo puppies

Most of the Maltipoo breeders that exist in the world are currently located in the United States, the place where this mix is popular. Puppies are available in states such as New York, Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama, North Carolina, Washington, California, and Indiana. 

Finding a reputable breeder can be extremely challenging since the AKC hasn’t yet recognized the Maltipoo as a separate breed. 

However, there are Maltipoo lovers everywhere around the world. One tip that we can give you is to look for forums or groups on social media or Reddit, where Maltipoo owners communicate about their dogs’ needs and behaviors. The same individuals can recommend a breeder or several. 

As a final note, we’d like to advise you against choosing the cheapest Maltipoo puppy you come across. Although the dog might be in perfect health, a very low price is usually strange. Not all pet parents in the world cross Toy or Miniature Poodles with Maltese. Not every breeder makes a goal out of choosing puppy parents that are in perfect health for breeding. 

Ask your breeder as many questions as possible. You can even ask them for their vet’s number so that you can check the information they give you.